What is the best homemade carpet stain remover?

Author: Charlotte Emard  |  Last update: Monday, April 28, 2025

For a homemade carpet stain remover, stir 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid into 1 quart of warm water, add ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar, and apply to the carpet stain. No matter which carpet cleaner you use, don't over-wet the stain, which can damage the backing. Let sit for 10 minutes.

What is the best DIY carpet stain remover?

Mix 1 cup warm water + 1/3 cup vinegar + 1 teaspoon clear dish soap, and stir well to combine. Dip a sponge into the solution, wring out the excess, and apply to the stain by pressing/blotting into the carpet and gently rub in a circular motion. Remember to work your way from the outside of the stain to the inside.

Does vinegar and baking soda remove old stains from carpet?

Another powerful method to try on old stains is vinegar and baking soda. Vacuum the stain first and then sprinkle baking soda over the area. Mix 1-part vinegar with 1-part water in a spray bottle. Mist over the baking soda and leave it to foam, dry and harden over a few hours.

What are the three ingredients used to remove stains from carpet?

1. Use Salt, Vinegar, and Borax. You can make your own natural carpet stain remover out of three ingredients you may already have at home: table salt, white vinegar, and borax powder. Note that while borax is a naturally occurring mineral, it is not safe to ingest and should be kept away from children.

What is the best way to get tough stains out of carpet?

Mix a solution of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and a 1/2 teaspoon dish soap, apply it to the stain and let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes. Then use a towel to absorb the solution and wine. If needed, repeat the above with a wet/dry vacuum.

Best Homemade Carpet Stain Remover

What do professional carpet cleaners use to remove stains?

Our main tools and techniques include: Steam Cleaners or Hot Water Extraction Machines: These powerful machines use hot water and suction to penetrate deep into carpet fibers, loosening and removing embedded dirt, grime, and stains that regular vacuuming cannot reach (source: carpet-rug.org).

Does hydrogen peroxide damage carpet?

Understanding Hydrogen Peroxide and Its Impact on Carpets

Low concentrations (like 3%) are generally safe for spot cleaning and stain removal, but higher concentrations can potentially lighten or bleach certain carpet fibers, especially if left on for too long.

Will Dawn dish soap remove carpet stains?

Next, try a solution of white vinegar, Dawn dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap, and fill with water. Spray the solution liberally on the stain and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Then, blot the stain with a clean, dry towel until it is removed.

What is the strongest carpet cleaning solution?

Our Top 5 Carpet Cleaning Picks
  • #1 Industrial Strength Carpet Extractor by Boardwalk.
  • #2 Deodorizing Carpet Cleaning Powder by Arm & Hammer.
  • #3 Triple Oxi Advanced Trigger Carpet Cleaner by Resolve.
  • #4 General Purpose Spotter by Diversey.
  • #5 Urine Destroyer by Resolve.

Can you leave vinegar and baking soda on carpet overnight?

Odors and musty smells

Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the entire carpet and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda to remove odors and freshen the carpet. For stubborn odors, you can also spray the carpet with a vinegar and water solution and allow it to dry completely.

How do you get old set-in stains out of carpet?

Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain – it is often a good idea to put the peroxide in a spray bottle first and then spray the stain. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit for a few minutes and use a bristle brush to scrub the stain. Use a cloth or steam vac to pull the peroxide out of the carpet.

How to remove unknown set in stains?

First, soak the stained fabric in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent with enzymes with 1 cup of water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar and stir. Use a Dobie All Purpose Cleaning Pad to apply the detergent-vinegar mixture to your unidentified stain.

Is cleaning vinegar the same as white vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar and white distilled vinegar are very similar in their composition (namely, acetic acid and water), but the key difference lies in the acidity levels between the two. "Cleaning vinegar generally contains a higher acetic acid concentration than regular white vinegar," says Sokolowski.

What should you not clean carpet with?

Abrasive cleaners can damage the carpet fibers and leave a bare spot where the stain used to be. The same goes for heavy-duty scrubbing brushes. If you must scrub your carpet, use a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush to prevent damage.

What is the most effective carpet cleaning method?

The Best Carpet Cleaning Process found by Nationwide Consumer Testing is the Circular Dry-Foam Carpet Cleaning Method. The Circular Dry-Foam Carpet Cleaning Method had a very high level of soil removal (92.3%) with little or no soap residue. It doesn't use harsh detergents which are oily or sticky.

Are there stains that cannot be removed from carpet?

Yellow mustard dyes the carpet and is nearly impossible to get out. The champion of all deadly stains. Chances of removal 2%.

What is the best carpet cleaning solution for old stains?

Our top picks:
  • Best Overall: Bissell Professional Pet Stain and Odor Removing Formula.
  • Best Value: Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover.
  • Most Versatile: Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator.
  • Best Deep Cleaner: Bissell Pro Oxy Power Spot.
  • Best for Old Stains: Carbona Oxy Powered Carpet Cleaner.

How do you clean a deeply dirty carpet?

Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can effectively remove dirt and odors from your carpet. To deep clean your carpet with vinegar, mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your carpet and let it sit for a few minutes to break down the dirt.

What do professionals use to clean carpet?

Hot Water Extraction

Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.

What is the best homemade solution for cleaning carpets?

Vinegar Carpet Cleaner

For synthetic carpets: Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of water.

Can I use pine sol in my carpet cleaner?

Pine-sol or others you just have to get the amount correct to the tank volume. I would advise flushing the machine with clean water after each use, just to help out all of the nozzles and seals on it to not wear them down. Other than that, you'll be fine.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean carpet?

Instead of using store-bought carpet cleaners, you can mix 3% hydrogen peroxide and water to treat ink, blood, pet and other stubborn stains from your delicate carpets. Some of the reasons are: It has oxidising properties that attack nasty stains and take them out of fabrics in a few minutes.

How to remove stains from carpet?

How to Get Stains Out of Carpet
  1. Step 1: Remove excess ASAP. Scrape off any excess solids with a spoon or a butter knife as soon as possible so your cleanable spill doesn't turn into a permanent stain. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply a carpet stain remover. ...
  3. Step 3: Blot stain away.

How do you make stain remover with hydrogen peroxide and dawn?

-that actually works on a seriously set in stain! The 'Recipe' is: 1 tsp. Dawn Dishwashing Liquid 4 tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda. Scrub on with a scrubbing brush & let sit for 30 minutes.

How do you make homemade pet stain remover?

Fully mix one-part hydrogen peroxide and one-part Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area with the mixture. Let the solution sit on the stain for one minute. Begin scrubbing, making sure to work bristle brushes deep into the carpet or rug to remove any waste that had previously soaked into the fibers.

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